Page 89

“I know.” Quinn was still smiling that slightly evil smile. “But a lot of people think it’s time Millard retired. Once I get the house renovated, I’m going to need something to keep me busy.”

“What happened to your art theft recovery business idea?”

Quinn’s brows shot up. “It’s still an idea. Why? Are you starting to get interested?” He added in deep, alluring tones, “Adventure, intrigue…and then, hopefully,romance?”

Andy’s laugh was short and bitter. “I’m not in a position to make any decisions for the future. Speaking of which, I need to phone the hospital and see how Uncle C.’s doing. Yesterday, his doctor said his condition was improving, so that’s something.”

“I’ll say. That’s great news.”

Andy nodded and rose from the table.

When he reached the lobby and checked his phone, he was startled to see a long list of messages.

Nothing from the hospital and nothing from the Worley Foundation, and in both those cases he had to believe that no news was good news.

Every single call but one was from Safehaven PD, and the message, reiterated again and again, was the same. You are cordially—and then not so cordially—invited to a second interview in Police Chief Millard’s office.

NOW.

The only message not from Safehaven PD was from Andy’s lawyer, and that was markedurgent.

Chapter Twenty-Four

“What’s wrong?” Quinn was paying for their meal in cash when Andy returned to their table. “Not Cutty—”

Andy shook his head. “Uncle C. shows signs he might actually be waking up. No. Chief Millard is demanding I come back to Safehaven for another interview.”

Quinn leaned back in his chair. “This is where your lawyer earns her fee. Let her do the talking.”

“That’s going to look like I don’t want to cooperate.”

“Youdon’twant to cooperate. Not when the goal is to convict you of conspiracy to commit murder.”

Andy swallowed. “But how do I—” He stopped. “Right. We prove our innocence by getting proof that what happened to Marcus was part of a-a jewel-smuggling operation.” It sounded insane putting it into words. How the hell were they ever going to convince anyone that this was what was really going on?

Quinn gave him a meaningful look and rose. “Let’s go up. We don’t want to advertise our presence.”

Meaning what? That their faces would soon be on the news? How the hell could Quinn be so calm? Andy could barely contain himself until they were alone in the elevator, heading up to their room.

“Did you get a message from Safehaven PD?”

“Nope.” Quinn’s smile was sardonic. “Granted, they’ve still got my cell phone.”

“I don’t understand why—”

“Divide and conquer,” Quinn said calmly. “My guess is Millard wants to offer you a deal. Roll over on me in exchange for a lighter sentence or even immunity.”

“Roll over?” Andy repeated.

Quinn’s smile was humorless. “Like I said, they don’t actually have any proof tying either of us to the crime. But ifyou can be coaxed or threatened or otherwise convinced into testifying against me,thenthey’ve got something to work with.”

“Why the hell is Millard so set on pinning Marcus’s murder on you?”

Quinn lifted a dismissive shoulder. “He thinks I did it.”

“He can’t.”

“Sure he can. For one thing, this is straight out of his favorite movie. The one where he’s the good guy and I’m the bad guy. For another thing, if Bokwasn’tkilled by me, if he was killed by the same person who keeps breaking into Time in a Bottle, Millard has fucked up this investigation—starting with the attack on Cutty—from day one. No way can his ego take that. And finally…”